The Red Hair Pirates had departed that very morning, and by afternoon, the Bamboo Staff was welcoming new arrivals.
Shortly after lunch, while Gustave was supervising Luffy's dishwashing duties in the kitchen - a task that required constant vigilance to prevent "creative" cleaning methods - he heard familiar voices on the deck above.
"Luffy, if I find one more grain of rice stuck to these plates..." Gustave warned, then paused as he recognized the voices. "Actually, finish up here. We have guests."
Emerging from the galley, he looked up to see two figures he hadn't seen in quite some time: Daigo and Camearra, both looking remarkably refreshed.
"Daigo! You two are back from your... leveling expedition?"
"Leveling?" Daigo blinked in confusion, tilting his head. "That's an odd way to put it."
"Slip of the tongue!" Gustave laughed, waving his hand dismissively.
"Actually," Daigo said thoughtfully, "the term 'leveling up' is surprisingly accurate. I did spend most of my time in that world growing stronger."
After their extended stay in the Nexus world, Daigo appeared largely unchanged - still the same earnest, slightly awkward young man, though he carried himself with newfound confidence. He scratched his head sheepishly, a familiar gesture that made Gustave smile.
"Have you two eaten yet? We just finished lunch - I could whip up something quick if you're hungry."
"Thank you, but we're completely stuffed," Daigo replied, patting his stomach. "Jun and Ren got up early to cook us a farewell feast. They made so many dishes that we could barely walk afterward. Burp!"
The involuntary sound made Gustave chuckle with understanding - he knew that feeling all too well.
"I warned you to pace yourself this morning," Camearra said with mock exasperation, though her tone held genuine affection. She reached over and pinched the soft flesh at Daigo's waist, making him wince. Despite the obvious discomfort, he endured it with the resigned patience of someone who'd learned when not to argue.
Watching this interaction, Gustave marveled at the transformation before him. This was still the same Daigo - earnest, kind-hearted, occasionally clumsy. But Camearra... she was hardly recognizable as the tragic figure he'd first encountered.
When Gustave had initially met Camearra, she'd been consumed by 30 million years of pain, love, and hatred - a being of immense power trapped by her own emotions. After Daigo's confession and their relationship had begun, she'd shown glimpses of gentleness, like a devoted wife caring for her beloved.
Now, however, she displayed the comfortable authority of someone who'd settled into a long-term relationship. She'd learned exactly how to manage Daigo, when to be stern, when to be gentle, and when a strategic pinch would convey more than words ever could.
Even someone who's lived for 30 million years can be domesticated by ordinary human relationships, Gustave thought with amusement. Love really is the most powerful force in any universe.
"So," he said aloud, "how are things progressing in your world? I'm assuming your presence here means the situation has stabilized somewhat?"
"Much better than we dared hope," Daigo replied, his expression brightening. "Jun and Ren have been working as a team, alternating their duties as Nexus hosts. It gives each of them proper time to recover between battles, which has made an enormous difference in their effectiveness and wellbeing."
"More importantly," Camearra added, "the space beasts seem to have entered some sort of dormant cycle recently. The frequency of attacks has decreased dramatically, giving everyone a chance to breathe."
"That's precisely why we felt comfortable leaving," Daigo continued. "With the immediate crisis manageable and my own abilities significantly improved, we thought it was time to check in with everyone here."
"That's wonderful news," Gustave said genuinely. "I'm glad Jun and Ren will have better outcomes than..." He caught himself before mentioning the original timeline's tragic events. "Well, better than what they might have faced alone."
"Speaking of outcomes," Daigo said, "we should probably head back to our world soon. I've been away from my GUTS team for quite a while, and I'm starting to miss those chaotic briefings and emergency calls."
"Wait, don't leave just yet!" Gustave interjected, raising his hand. "Why don't you stay for another day or two?"
"Is there something special happening?" Daigo asked, puzzled by the request.
In truth, Daigo and Camearra had only stopped by to check in and let everyone know they'd returned safely. They hadn't planned on an extended visit.
"Actually, yes," Gustave grinned. "Tezuka and his tennis team just won the national championship. They're coming tomorrow for a victory celebration picnic. The more people we have, the more fun it'll be!"
"Tezuka won nationals?" Daigo's face lit up with genuine excitement. "That's incredible! I remember watching him play in the Kanto tournament - he was impressive even then."
"Then we should definitely stay," Camearra decided before Daigo could even ask her opinion. "I've been looking forward to trying outdoor cooking, and it sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate their achievement."
Gustave noted with interest how the dynamic between them had shifted - Camearra had smoothly taken charge of their social calendar without Daigo even attempting to object. He was learning to pick his battles wisely.
"Perfect! I'll need to start prep work tonight for tomorrow's feast. I'm thinking—"
THUD! THUD! THUD!
The unmistakable sound of small feet thundering down the stairs interrupted Gustave's culinary planning. There was only one person who made that particular combination of noise and chaos.
"Chan'er! We're here to play!" a familiar voice called out with characteristic enthusiasm.
If there was a contest for most frequent visitors to the Bamboo Staff, Shin-chan and his friends would win by a landslide. They appeared every few days like clockwork, sometimes to play aboard the ship but more often to collect Yang Chan for adventures. Both Misae and Kazama's mother had issued strict instructions that they must help the girl feel the warmth of friendship and family.
Sure enough, Shin-chan burst into view, followed closely by Kazama and Nene, all three looking ready for whatever mischief the day might bring.
"Oh!" Shin-chan skidded to a halt, his eyes immediately locking onto Camearra. "A new beautiful big sister!"
While the children visited frequently, they'd rarely crossed paths with Daigo and Camearra, having only met them once before. Shin-chan's eyes immediately took on that telltale sparkle that meant trouble.
"Hello there, gorgeous lady," he said with exaggerated smoothness, striking what he clearly thought was a suave pose. "Do you happen to have a boyfriend?"
His attempt at mature charm - delivered from someone barely reaching Camearra's knees - created such a ridiculous contrast that she couldn't help but laugh. The transformation in her demeanor since their last meeting was so complete that Shin-chan didn't even recognize her.
"Shin-chan," Daigo said with an amused smile, extending his hand in greeting, "don't you remember me? I'm Daigo - and yes, I'm this beautiful lady's boyfriend."
"BOYFRIEND?!" Shin-chan's world visibly shattered around him. He staggered backward as if struck by lightning, his dreams of romance crumbling in real time. "But... but she's so beautiful! How is this possible?!"
The adults burst into laughter at his theatrical despair, while his friends looked on with varying degrees of embarrassment and exasperation.
"Shin-chan!" Kazama buried his face in his hands. "You're so embarrassing!"
"Shin-chan," Nene said in a voice that could have frozen fire, "did you forget why we came here?"
The dangerous tone in her voice penetrated even Shin-chan's romantic anguish. He might be brave enough to tease adults and even challenge Gustave to eating contests, but Nene's anger was something else entirely.
"Right! Chan'er!" he yelped, immediately pivoting toward the exit. "We came to find Yang Chan! Must find Yang Chan now!"
He bolted for the door with the speed of genuine terror, leaving his friends to follow in his wake.
"Shin-chan, wait up!" Kazama called, running after him.
Nene followed at a more measured pace, though the dark aura surrounding her suggested Shin-chan's romantic detour hadn't been forgiven.
"Chan'er's at Makino's tavern!" Gustave called after them helpfully.
"Got it! Thanks, Big Brother Gustave!" Kazama replied over his shoulder, waving as they disappeared.
"Those children are absolutely delightful," Camearra observed once they'd gone, still smiling at Shin-chan's antics.
"All kids have that energy," Daigo agreed nostalgically. "It reminds Shinjo cousin Shigeru, and those two young detectives, Conan and Ai. When they went investigating that Crow Man case, they nearly gave our entire defense team heart attacks."
"Speaking of which," Gustave said with a mischievous grin, "Conan and Ai will be at tomorrow's picnic too. Hope you're prepared for more chaos."